La Crosse: Felony charge filed in dog's death

On Friday, prosecutors elevated charges against a La Crosse woman accused of killing a 13-year-old basset hound in November.

Selina Boulton, 32, is charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with mistreatment of animals, a felony, and disorderly conduct. Her preliminary hearing will be Aug. 15.

Prosecutors charged her in December with two misdemeanors, arguing Boulton killed the dog, Jixer, after breaking into her ex-boyfriend's house in the 700 block of North Losey Boulevard after an argument, according to the complaint.

Police on Nov. 14 found the dog dead on the floor, its choke collar cinched tightly to its neck and a frying pan nearby, reports stated.

An autopsy on the dog determined it died of asphyxiation/respiratory failure as a result of severe trauma.

The dog suffered fractured ribs, a collapsed lung and a cut consistent with a stab wound, according to court records.

Boulton told police Jixer bit her when she entered the house, which she denied breaking into, reports stated. She said the dog was four years past its life expectancy and that "an animal has more rights than I do."

She had a 0.10 percent blood-alcohol concentration after the incident.